Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army

Chief of the Royal Thai Army ผู้บัญชาการทหารบก
Rank flag of the commander-in-chief
Incumbent General Apirat Kongsompong since 1 October 2018
Nominator	Minister of Defense
Appointer	King of Thailand
Inaugural holder	Prince Damrong Rajanubhab
Formation	1887
Website	Thai Army Commander

The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army (Thai: ผู้บัญชาการทหารบก) is headquartered in Bangkok. The commander of the Royal Thai Army is a powerful position that has at times been the springboard to the premiership. Prior to 1932, the post of Commander of the Siamese Army was combined with that of the Kalahom Department.

The following individuals have commanded the Royal Thai Army:

Royal Siamese Army

No.	Portrait	Rank	Name	Position	Term begins	Term ends
1		General Minister	Ditsawarakuman, the Prince Damrong Rajanubhab	Grand-officer to the army	1887	1890
2		Field Marshal Minister	Chao Phraya Surasakmontri (Cherm Saeng-chuto)	Commander of the Department of Army	1890	1892
3 (1)		Field Marshal Admiral of the Fleet	Bhanurangsi Savangwongse, the Prince Banubandhu Vongsevoradej	Commander of the Department of Military Operation	1892	1896
4		General Minister	Chitcharoen, the Prince Narisara Nuvadtivongs	Commander of the Department of Military Operation	1896	1899
3 (2)		Field Marshal Admiral of the Fleet	Bhanurangsi Savangwongse, the Prince Banubandhu Vongsevoradej	Commander of the Department of Military Operation	1899	1901
5		Field Marshal	Chirapravati Voradej, Prince of Nakhon Chaisri	Commander of the Department of Military Operation Minister of Defense	1901	1913
6		Field Marshal	Chao Phraya Bodindhra Dejanuchit (Mom Rajawongse Arun Chatrakul)	Commander of the Department of Military Operation	1914	1921
7		General	Chao Phraya Bodindechanuchit (Yeam Na Nagara)	Minister of Defense	1922	1926
8		Field Marshal Admiral of the Fleet	Paribatra Sukhumbandhu, Prince of Nakorn Sawan	Minister of Defense	1926	1928
9		General	HH Prince Boworadet	Minister of Defense	1928	1931
10		General Admiral	Vudhijaya Chalermlabha, Prince of Singha	Minister of Defense	1931	1932

Royal Thai Army

No.	Portrait	Rank	Name	Term begins	Term ends
11 (1)		General	Phraya Phahonphonphayuhasena (Phot Phahonyothin)	1932	1938
12 (1)		Field Marshal	Luang Phibunsongkhram (Plaek Phibunsongkhram)	1938	1944
13		Lieutenant General	Phichit Kriangsakphichit	6 Aug 1944	24 Aug 1944
11 (2)		General	Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena (Phot Phahonyothin)	1944	1946
14		General	Adul Aduldejcharat (Bhat Peungprakhun)	1946	1947
12 (2)		Field Marshal	Luang Phibunsongkhram (Plaek Phibunsongkhram)	9 Nov 1947	15 May 1948
15		Field Marshal	Phin Choonhavan	1948	1954
16		Field Marshal	Sarit Thanarat	1954	1963
17		Field Marshal	Thanom Kittikachorn	1963	1964
18		Field Marshal	Praphas Charusathien	1964	1973
19		General	Kris Sivara	1973	1975
20		General	Boonchai Bamroongpong	1975	1976
21		General	Serm Na Nagara	1976	1978
22		General	Prem Tinsulanonda	1978	1981
23		General	Prayut Jarumanee	1981	1982
24		General	Arthit Kamlang-ek	1982	1986
25		General	Chavalit Yongchaiyudh	1986	1990
26		General	Suchinda Kraprayoon	1990	7 Apr 1992
26		General	Isarapong Noonpakdee	7 Apr 1992	31 Jul 1992
28		General	Vimol Vongvanich	1992	1995
29		General	Pramon Plasindhi	1995	1996
30		General	Chettha Thannajaro	1996	1998
31		General	Surayud Chulanont	1998	2002
32		General	Somtat Attanand	2002	2003
33		General	Chaiyasit Shinawatra	2003	2004
34		General	Prawit Wongsuwan	2004	2005
35		General	Sonthi Boonyaratglin	2005	2007
36		General	Anupong Paochinda	2007	2009
37		General	Prayut Chan-o-cha	2010	2014
38		General	Udomdej Sitabutr	2014	2015
39		General	Teerachai Nakwanich	2015	2016
40		General	Chalermchai Sitthisart	2016	30 Sep 2018
41		General	Apirat Kongsompong	1 Oct 2018	2020

See also

• Royal Thai Army
• List of Commanders of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters
• List of Commanders of the Royal Thai Navy
• List of Commanders of the Royal Thai Air Force

References

• www.rta.mi.th

External links

• Website of the Royal Thai Army (in Thai)